Developmental Milestones: 2 Year Olds

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What are some of the developmental milestones my child should reach by two years of age?

Your baby enters her second year and becomes a toddler, crawling vigorously, starting to walk, even talking a little. Exploring the boundaries established by your rules and her own physical and developmental limits will occupy much of her time for the next few years.

Here are some other milestones to look for.

Movement milestones

Walks alone

Pulls toys behind her while walking

Carries large toy or several toys while walking

Begins to run

Stands on tiptoe

Kicks a ball

Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted

Walks up and down stairs holding on to support

Milestones in hand and finger skills

Scribbles spontaneously

Turns over container to pour out contents

Builds tower of four blocks or more

Might use one hand more frequently than the other

Language milestones

Points to object or picture when it’s named for him

Recognizes names of familiar people, objects, and body parts

Says several single words (by fifteen to eighteen months)

Uses simple phrases (by eighteen to twenty-four months)

Uses two- to four-word sentences

Follows simple instructions

Repeats words overheard in conversation

Cognitive milestones

Finds objects even when hidden under two or three covers

Begins to sort by shapes and colors

Begins make-believe play

Social and emotional milestones

Imitates behavior of others, especially adults and older children

Increasingly aware of herself as separate from others

Increasingly enthusiastic about company of other children

Demonstrates increasing independence

Begins to show defiant behavior

Increasing episodes of separation anxiety toward midyear, then they fade

Developmental health watch

Because each child develops at his own particular pace, it’s impossible to tell exactly when yours will perfect a given skill. The developmental milestones will give you a general idea of the changes you can expect as your child gets older, but don’t be alarmed if he takes a slightly different course. Alert your pediatrician, however, if he displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay for this age range.

Cannot walk by eighteen months

Fails to develop a mature heel-toe walking pattern after several months of walking, or walks exclusively on his toes

Does not speak at least fifteen words by eighteen months

Does not use two-word sentences by age two

Does not seem to know the function of common household objects (brush, telephone, bell, fork, spoon) by fifteen months

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.